Rafael Nadal and Denis Shapovalov will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash during third-round action at the Rome Masters on Thursday afternoon.
Date: May 17, 2018
Match time: Rafa is third match on Centrale Court, meaning that he should be in action sometime around 4 PM local time / 10 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 3 PM BST – United Kingdom / 4 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / midnight AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Shapovalov won their only previous encounter in three sets last summer on the hard courts in Montreal. The 19-year-old Canadian is ranked a career-high No. 29, up 114 spots from 10 August when he defeated Rafa.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada Canada |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Denis Shapovalov |
The Canadian teenager is 7-4 on clay this year, including a run to the semifinals at Madrid. His only ATP-level experience on clay prior to this season was a first-round qualifying loss at the French Open.
Rafa has won a record seven Rome titles, but none since 2013. The Internazionali BNL d’Italia is the only clay-court event where he has made four consecutive appearances without a title.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
Well Rafa certainly showing the new kid whose Boss
Comments from Shapo:
I’ve been trying to pick up a lot from Rafa,’ he said when chatting to Metro.co.uk and ATP Radio. ‘He’s been dominating on the surface for more than 10, 12 years so it’s great to see him play. Nadal has been in ridiculously good form ( ‘I’m trying to pick up on certain lefty things he does that bothers other guys and I definitely think that’s helped me as well. ‘He plays so aggressive on it, when he has a chance he goes for it. That’s what I was trying to do today and it worked out well.’
Perhaps Rafa could give the talented young Canadian some style tips as well Lol
Oh no – poor delpo has had to retire from his match vs goffin with a groin injury. He has had some really bad luck bless him
I feel terrible for Del Potro… but hopefully it’s nothing major and he will be ready for the FO.
Meanwhile Rafa cruising:):)
Rafa is cruising indeed Mac. Its good to see. I really do hope that Delpo is ok for the FO. He may have pulled out today to save himself so he can be ok for then
Fabulous 1st set but I hope Rafa keeps focused in the 2nd set as Dennis is a danger and we dont want him to take it into a 3rd
And Rafa breaks. Fantastic. But I’m liking what I see from Dennis. Commentators are saying stuff about him that reminds me of what they said about Rafa 14 years ago. But for this match its Rafa all the way!!
Hi Susie yes Rafa all the way, but from the new gen I’m behind Shapo all the way.
Me too Maria. He seems like a nice chap too
Greg rusedski said last week that he hadn’t been this excited about a player since Rafa
I think this could be a tricky match Rafa, Shapo has been playing great just do your best as always and hopefully the results will follow. Good luck
OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) It is a beautiful day & another beautiful time for your precious beautiful tennis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) It will be a great match for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ): ) We love you sweetheart & keep singing and smiling with each point you play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) We are very happy for you dear Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ): ) : ) : ) : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) Have a beautiful day & keep smiling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Enjoy lots of fun playing your feisty beautiful tennis and enjoy everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 😉 : ) ; ) : ) : ) Sending lots of love & happiness & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a great time sweetheart! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
I just hope Rafa stays focused and calm. Nervousness is not a recipe for success. Wishing Rafa another win.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Of course anything can happen in this crazy world right?
However, I don’t see Shapovalov pushing Rafa on this clay at all today. Rafa should get through him without much fuss.
Good luck and get it done champ!
I don’t know guys. Shapovalov is a left handed guy and Rafa always finds it difficult against that kind of player. It’s gonna be a tough match. May Rafa win in three.
Who wants to bet against Rafa teaching that boy a lesson? Rafa is eager to win this title and get back the world #1. He’s also probably eager to teach that boy a lesson and show him who’s boss. The boy won the last meeting but the man won the USO. Now the king of clay is going to spank the boy who tried to take his crown. This is going to be fun to watch! Shapovalov is a kid on the rise. I truly believe he will get to #1 and win a slam or more… just not against the king of clay at the French lol….
Well, it will be a though match. Don’t know what to say. I am not very optimistic about,Shapovalov is not a convenient player for Rafa,but I still want to believe Rafa will found the way to beat him. Vamos
On hard court, the kid hits like Novak so he has a shot. He proved he can play with Rafa on hard courts. But this isn’t hard court lol…. On clay, Rafa is going to Spank him.
RAFA IS BRILLIANT ON ALL COURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
Rafa all the best for your match today,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXAustraliaXX
Good luck Rafa. Always with you.🎾👍🍀👌💪
RAFA ROCKS
Wamos Rafa Shapovalov surprised you once, not again.
You are the best.
Wamos
Only one Rafa.vamos!
Rafa good luck champ vamossssssssssssssss all the way.🎾🎾🎾🎾❤️🏆😍
Oh it should be a very tasty match tomorrow with Rafa vs Dennis. Looking forward to it.
With you all the best. Vamos Rafa <3
How come Nadal dropped to #2 seed when Federer has not been playing any matches on clay so far this season?
I ask the same question. I don’t understand the ratings system. They say Roger has no points to defend but Rafa does. Shat does that mean?
Rather than be rude and dislike your comment, I’ll explain.
Rafa won Madrid last year. When he lost 1/4 he lost points.
Since he lost early in Rome last year, he can retake #1 by winning Rome and gaining points!!
Hi Granny on. Remember that Roger didn’t play any of the clay season last year, so he has no points to defend on that surface. At the start of the clay season, Rafa was only 100 points ahead of Roger. This meant that, to maintain his lead, Rafa had to equal the performance of last year at least, by winning Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid. Although Rafa won Monte Carlo and Barcelona this year, he lost in the QF of Madrid and therfore he loses the 1000 points and gains only 180 points for getting to the QF. In effect Rafa has lost 820 points. So overall, he is currently 720 points behind Roger.
Rafa can regain the no.1 ranking if he wins Rome because he lost in the 4th round last year.
I hope this clarifies things for you 😊.
Lorna, Great job! It is not easy to explain. While I am a huge Rafa fan, I do not worry about the number one ranking. I wanted Rafa to pass John McEnroe to reach fifth all time. He did that. Now I care more that he wins matches and stays healthy. Novak is the fourth in the number one ranking, but by a lot.
Thank you Lorna and Va4favre for your friendly replies. I am a Rafa fan (even at my age!) but I am not au fait with all the rules of the game.
Granny, Just a note that Rafa dropped to number two in the ATP rankings. Rafa is still the number one seed in Rome.
No need to worry about number one Ranking. The only thing that matters with Ranking is Rogers 300+ weeks at #1 which will never be broken. Therefore Rafa just needs to focus on winning grand slams. He still has a reasonable shot to catch Roger. But he has to keep winning and he has to beat Roger because no one else can stop Roger right now while Chokovic and Murray are hurt. It’s like we’re back in 2007 when Roger was king of tennis and only Rafa could stop him… good times!